GB2187879A

GB2187879A - Holder structure in a cassette player

Info

Publication number: GB2187879A
Application number: GB08705505A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yasuyuki Nakanishi; Toshiyuki Ushiba
Original assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Current assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Priority date: 1986-03-11
Filing date: 1987-03-09
Publication date: 1987-09-16
Anticipated expiration: 2007-03-09
Also published as: DE3707830A1; GB2187879B; DE3707830C2; US4792872A; GB8705505D0

Description

GB 2 187 879 A 1

SPECIFICATION holder 2, not only is a front edge of the cassette 1

Holder structure in a cassette player brought into engagement with a stopper 2d integral with the cassette holder 2, but also the cassette 1 The present invention generally relates to an itself is substantially immovably held in position by information recording andlor reproducing 70 the retaining springs 3.

apparatus operable with the use of a cassette However, it has been found that the prior art containing an information recorded andlor holder structure H of the above described recording medium and, more particularly, to a construction poses the following problem. Since cassette holder structure employed in such only the retaining springs 3 are an effective means apparatus. 75 for retaining the cassette 1, once inserted into the Forthe purpose of the present invention, the cassette holder 2, in position inside the cassette apparatus of the type referred to above includes a holder 2, and when during the loading of the video tape recorder (VTR), a digital audio tape cassette 1, that is, during the movement of the recorder (DAT) and the like, and, depending on the cassette holder 2 from the cassette receiving type of the apparatus, the information recorded and/ 80 position towards the loaded position, the cassette 1 or recording medium may be a length of magnetic is loaded by reason of its contact with a component recording tape, a magnetic disk, an optical disk or of the holder structure or by reason of shocks and/or the like. vibrations imposed thereon, the cassette 1 tends to In describing an example of the prior art deviate from the right position inside the holder 2 to considerdcl pertinent to the present invention, 85 such an extent that, when at the loaded position, it reference will be made to a video tape recorder and will not be correctly set in position relative to, for a cassette holder structure used therein, the prior art example, a cylinder drum supporting magnetic cassette holder structure being schematically recording andlor reproducing heads. Once this shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying happens, not only can the information recording or drawings. 90 recorded medium such as the magnetic tape be Referring first to Fig. 1, a generally rectangular, damaged, but also the apparatus may come to fail to standardized cassette 1 is shown as held in position operate properly.

ready to be loaded in a holder structure generally The above described problem may be somewhat identified by H. The holder structure H comprises a obviated if each of the retaining springs 3 is of a type cassette holder 2 having a cassette receiving mouth 95 capable of exerting an increased biasing force defined therein for receiving the cassette 1 and enough to firmly hold the cassette 1 inserted into supported for movement between a cassette the holder 2. However, the use of the springs 3 of the receiving position, as shown therein, and a loaded type referred to above poses a problem in that a position, a plurality of, for example, two retaining correspondingly increased resistance may act on leaf springs 3 secured to a ceiling portion of the 100 the insertion of the cassette 1 into and the cassette cassette holder 2 so as to confront the cassette holder 2, causing an operator to feel uncomfortable receiving mouth so that, when the cassette 1 is to insert the cassette 1 into the cassette holder 2 and inserted into the cassette receiving mouth in a also causing the cassette 1 itself to be readily direction shown by the arrow A, the cassette 1 so damaged.

inserted can be retained in position within the 105 Accordingly, the present invention has been cassette holder 2, and a support structure 4 devised to substantially eliminate the above including a pair of side walls 4b and a top wall 4c discussed problems inherent in the prior art cassette assembled together so as to represent a shape holder structure in the information recording andlor generally similar to the shape of an inverted figure reproducing apparatus and has for its primary 'V', each of said side walls 4b having a respective 110 object to provide an improved cassette holder guide slot 4a defined therein in alignment with each structure effective to enable the operator to feel other. comfortable to insert the cassette into the cassette The cassette holder 2 has a pair of pins 2a holder while the cassette once inserted can be firmly protruding outwardly therefrom in a direction away retained and constrained in position inside the from each other and axially aligned with each other, 115 cassette holder.

said cassette holder 2 being movably supported Another important object of the present invention with the pins 2a engaged in the respective guide is to provide an improved cassette holder structure slots 4a. of the type referred to above, wherein any possible The prior art holder structure H is so designed and displacement of the cassette once inserted into the so structured that, when the cassette 1 is inserted 120 cassette holder which would result from the shocks into the cassette receiving mouth of the holder 2 and andlor vibrations imposed thereon is minimized or a continued external pushing force is applied to the substantially eliminated.

holder 2 through the cassette 2, the holder 2 can be In order to accomplish these objects, the present moved from the cassette receiving position towards invention provides a cassette holder structure in the the loaded position with the pins 2a guided along 125 information recording andlor reproducing the guide slots 4a and can be subsequently drawn apparatus which comprises a cassette holder by a motor-driven cassette loader (not shown) supported by a support structure for movement towards the loaded position. As best shown in between a cassette receiving position, at which the Fig. 2, when the cassette 1 is completely inserted cassette holder is ready to receive the cassette, and into the cassette receiving mouth of the cassette 130 a loaded position at which information can be 2 GB 2 187 879 A 2 recorded on or reproduced from the information structure herein disclosed may, or may not, employ carrier medium contained in the cassette, a the retaining springs such as employed in the prior generally elongated elastic releaseable catch art holder structure. However, the use of the member carried by the cassette holder and releaseable catch member in combination with the resiliently engageable with a detent member 70 known retaining springs advantageously ensures a defined in the cassette, and means operable to rigid and firm retainment of the once-inserted disengage the releasable catch member from the cassette in position inside the cassette holder.

detent member in the cassette when and so long as The present invention will become more clearly the cassette holder is in the cassette receiving understood from the following detailed description position and also to cause the releasable catch 75 of preferred embodiments, when taken in member to be engaged with the detent member in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

the cassette when the cassette holder with the However, the embodiments and the drawings are cassette inserted thereinto is moved from the given for the purpose of illustration and explanation cassette receiving position towards the loaded only, and are not to be taken as being limitative of position. 80 the present invention in any way whatsoever, Preferably, the detent member defined in the whose scope is to be determin@d solely by the cassette is in the form of a detent recess, and the appended claims. In the drawings, like reference releaseable catch member cooperable with the numerals denote like parts in the several views, and:

detent member comprises a catch block carried by Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the prior the cassette holder for movement between lifted 85 art cassette holder structure; and lowered positions and engageable with the Fig. 2 is a schematic side sectional view showing detent member when at the lowered position, and a the cassette holder having the cassette received leaf spring having one end rigidly secured to the therein in the prior art cassette holder structure cassette holder and the other end adapted to urge shown in Fig. 11; the catch blocktowards the lowered position as the 90 Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a cassette cassette holder is moved from the cassette receiving holder structure according to a first preferred position towards the loaded position. embodiment of the present invention with a In one embodiment of the present invention, the cassette holder held at a cassette receiving position; means operable to selectively engage and Fig. 4 is a schematic side sectional view showing a disengage the releaseable catch member may 95 cassette received in the cassette holder, said comprise a finger assembly rigidly secured at one cassette holder being shown as held at the cassette end to the support structure so as to extend receiving position; between the support structure and the cassette Fig. 5 is a view similarto Fig. 3, showing the holder in a direction conforming to the direction of cassette holder being, after having received the movement of the cassette holder from the cassette 100 cassette therein, moved from the cassette receiving receiving position towards the loaded position and position towards a loaded position; also conforming to the direction in which the Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4, showing the releaseable catch member extends from the cassette holder with the cassette received therein cassette holder. being moved towards the loaded position; With this construction, the catch block of the 105 Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the elastic releaseable catch member can be maintained cassette holder structure according to a second clear from the detent member in the cassette when preferred embodiment of the present invention with and so long as the cassette holder is in the cassette the cassette holder held at the cassette receiving receiving position, but can be lowered for the position; engagement with the detent member in the cassette 110 Fig. 8 is a schematic top plan view, on a somewhat as the cassette holder is moved from the cassette reduced scale, of the cassette holder structure receiving position towards the loaded position. shown in Fig. 7, with the cassette holder shown as In another preferred embodiment of the present held at the cassette receiving position; invention, the finger assembly is mounted on the Fig. 9 is a schematic side sectional view of the cassette holder for movement together therewith 115 cassette holder structure shown in Fig. 7, showing and positioned between the support structure and the cassette holder receiving the cassette therein the cassette holder. The finger assembly is movable and held at the cassette receiving position; between retracted and projected positions in a Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 8, showing the direction conforming to the direction of movement cassette holder with the cassette received therein of the cassette holder and independently of the 120 being moved from the cassette receiving position movement of the cassette holder. However, when towards the loaded position; the cassette holder with the cassette received Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 9, showing the therein is moved a predetermined distance greater cassette holder with the cassette received therein than a predetermined distance in a direction being moved from the cassette receiving position towards the loaded position, the finger assembly is 125 towards the loaded position; moved to the retracted position while allowing the Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 8, showing the catch member to be lowered for engagement with cassette holder with the cassette received therein the detent member, as clearly understood from the being further moved towards the loaded position; subsequent detailed description. and

In practicing the present invention, the holder 130 Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 9, showing the 3 GB 2 187 879 A 3 cassette holder with the cassette received therein of the cassette holder 2 towards the loaded position being further moved towards the loaded position. and immediately above the path of movement of the In describing the embodiments of the present detent recess 5 in the cassette 1. This releaseable invention, and for facilitating a ready and better catch member 6 also comprises a catch block 6b understanding thereof, the present invention will be 70 rigidly secured to the free end of the leaf spring 6a described as applied to a cassette holder structure and having a pair of arms 6c formed integrally generally used in a video tape recorder, although it therewith or otherwise rigidly connected thereto so can be equally embodied in any information as to extend upwardly and laterally outwardly recording andlor reproducing apparatus utilizing an therefrom.

encased information carrier medium. 75 As bestshown in Figs. 3 and 4, so long asthe Referring first to Figs. 3 to 6, the generally cassette holder 2 is held in the cassette receiving rectangular cassette 1 of any known construction position, the catch block 6b is held in position containing therein an information carrier medium disengaged from the detent recess 5 in the cassette (not shown) has its top panel formed with a detent 1 by the reason which will now be described.

member which is, in the instance as shown, in the 80 The cassette holder structure also comprises a form of a detent recess 5 positioned generally finger assembly generally identified by 7 and being intermediately of the width thereof and adjacent a of a generally U- shaped configuration including an front edge thereof forthe purpose of the present elongated base 7a and a pair of fingers 7b integral at invention, it being to be noted that the terms "top" one end with the base 7a. This finger assembly 7 is and "front" hereinabove and hereinafter referred to 85 mounted on the top wall 2b of the cassette holder 2 in connection with the cassette 1 are used in relation with the base 7a rigidly secured thereto. With the to the direction in which the cassette 1 is inserted finger assembly 7 so mounted, the fingers 7b extend into the cassette holder 2. The function of the detent outwardly theref rom on respective sides of the leaf recess 5 will be readily understood from the spring 6a and in parallel relation to each other and subsequent description. 90 also to the leaf spring 6a in a direction conforming

The cassette holder structure H to which the to the direction of movement of the cassette holder present invention is applicable is generally similar 2 towards the loaded position, said fingers 7b being to the prior art cassette holder structure shown in in turn exposed to the outside through the opening the described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 as to 4d in the top panel 4c of the support structure 4.

the shape and manner in which the cassette holder 2 95 Respective free ends of the fingers 7b remote from is supported by the support structure 4. More the base 7a are downwardly sloped so as to diverge specifically, the support structure 4 is of a sectional away from the plane of the top panel 4c for the representation similar to the shape of a generally purpose which will become clear later.

inverted figure of 'V' including, in addition to the So long as the cassette holder 2 is in the cassette pair of opposite side panels 4b having the respective 100 receiving position as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and as guide slots 4a defined therein, a top panel 4c far as the cassette holder 2 is moved a bridging between the side panels 4b so as to predetermined distance from the cassette receiving connect the latter together and having an opening position towards the loaded position, the arms 6c of 4d defined therein. On the other hand, the cassette the releaseable catch member 6 ride from above on holder 2 is positioned internally of the support 105 the respective fingers 7b against the resiliency of the structure 4 and comprises generally rectangular top leaf spring 6a with the catch block 6b held in and bottom walls 2b and 2c and a pair of side walls position between the top panel 4c of the support 2d all assembled together to define a generally structure 4 and the top wall 2b of the cassette holder rectangular sectioned cassette receiving mouth 2. However, after the cassette holder 2 has been inside the cassette holder 2. 110 moved the predetermined distance from the As is the case with the prior art holder structure, cassette receiving position by any known motor- the cassette holder 2 has the pins 2a (only one of driven cassette holder (not shown) and during the which is shown) rigidly secured to, or otherwise continued movement of the cassette holder 2 integrally formed with, the respective side walls 2d towards the loaded position, the arms 6c of the so as to protrude in the opposite directions away 115 releaseable catch member 6 slide along the from each other in axially aligned relationship with respective fingers 7b and then down along the each other. This cassette holder 2 is supported by sloped free ends thereof, finally snapping the support structure 4 with the pins 2a engaged in downwards so as to permit the catch block 6b to the respective guide slots 4a in the side panels 4b of protrude beneath the plane of the top wall 2b of the the support structure 4. 120 cassette holder 2.

A releaseable catch member generally identified While the cassette holder structure according to by 6 and adapted to be resiliently engaged in the the first embodiment of the present invention is detent recess 5 in the cassette 1 as the cassette constructed as hereinbefore described, it operates holder 2 is moved away from the cassette receiving in the following manner.

position forfirmly retaining the cassette 1 in 125 The insertion of the cassette 1 into the cassette position within the cassette holder 2 comprises a receiving mouth of the cassette holder 2 in a generally elongated leaf spring 6a having one end direction shown by the arrow A in Fig. 3 until the rigidly secured exteriorly to the top wall 2b of the front edge thereof is brought abutment with the cassette holder 2 so as to extend away therefrom in stopper 2d integral with the bottom wall 2 can be (35 a direction conforming to the direction of movement 130 carried out in the same manner as with the prior art

4 GB 2 187 879 A 4 cassette holder structure shown in and described biased by the leaf spring 6a for engagement into the with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. Once the cassette 1 is detent recess 5, as the arms 6c ride above the so inserted, the cassette 1 is retained inside the fingers 7b and leave from the fingers 7b, cassette holder 2 by the action of the retaining respectively. In the embodiment of the present springs 3. Since at this time the catch block 6b is 70 invention which will be subsequently described with clear from the path of movement of the cassette 1 particular reference to Figs. 7 to 13, the finger being inserted into the cassette holder 2 because the assembly 7 including the fingers 7b is, while it arms 6c rest on the respective fingers 7b, the operates in a manner substantially similar to that in insertion of the cassette 1 is in fact carried out the foregoing embodiment, mounted on the smoothly. 75 cassette holder 2 for movement together therewith.

After the cassette 1 has been completely inserted Referring now to Figs. 7 to 13 and, particularly, to into the cassette holder 2, the motor-driven cassette Fig. 7, the finger assembly 7 of the construction loader of any known construction is activated in similar to that in the foregoing embodiment is response to the insertion of the cassette 1 to draw mounted on the cassette holder 2 for movement the cassette holder 2 with the cassette 1 therein 80 between retracted and projected positions in a from the cassette receiving position towards the direction conforming to the direction of movement loaded position. As the cassette holder 2 is moved in of the cassette holder 2 and positioned between the this way towards the loaded position, the arms 6c top wall 2b thereof and the top panel 4c of the slide along the respective fingers 7b, and after the support structure 4. The fingers 7b of the finger cassette holder 2 being so moved has moved a 85 assembly 7 are formed with respective guide slots 8 predetermined distance away from the cassette into which respective guide posts 9 are relatively receiving position, the arms 6c slide down along the movably engaged. The guide posts 9 are rigidly sloped free ends of the respective fingers 7b and mounted on the top wall 2b of the cassette holder 2 then snap downwards by the resiliency of the leaf so as to project upwardly through the respective spring 6a with the catch block 6b consequently 90 guide slots 8 in the fingers 7b, and, therefore, the engaged into the detent recess 5 in the cassette 1 finger assembly 7 as a whole can move a distance then held inside the cassette holder 2 as shown in equal to the length of each guide slot 8. It is to be Figs. 5 and 6. noted thatthe finger assembly 7 so mounted on the In this way, the cassette 1 inside the cassette cassette holder 2 is supported in such a way that it holder 2 can be advantageously firmly constrained 95 will not detach from the top wall 2b of the cassette in position and will not undergo any substantial holder 2 and, forthis purpose, free ends of the arbitrary motion within the cassette holder 2 which respective guide posts 9 which have passed through would otherwise occur when external impacts or the guide slots 8 may be flattened so as to enlarge shocks are applied thereto. radially outwardly thereby to constrain the fingers It is to be noted that the still continued movement 100 7b in position above the top wall 2b of the cassette of the cassette holder 2 results in the arrival of the holder 2.

cassette holder 2 atthe loaded position at which the A coil spring 10 is interposed between the cassette holder 2 with the pins 2a guided in the cassette holder 2 and the finger assembly 7 so that respective slots 4a has been lowered. the latter can tend to assume the retracted position The disengagement of the catch block 6b once 105 as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. In the illustrated instance, engaged in the detent recess 5 in the cassette 1 then the coil spring 10 has one end connected to a held inside the cassette holder 2 takes place as the portion of one side edge of the top wall 2b cassette holder 2 being returned from the loaded confronting the cassette 1 and the other end position towards the cassette receiving position connected to a portion of the base 7a of the finger approaches the cassette receiving position. More 110 assembly 7 intermediate between the fingers 7b.

specifically, as the cassette holder 2 with the The finger assembly 7 is, when the cassette holder cassette 1 therein approaches the cassette receiving 2 is in the cassette receiving position as shown in position by the reversed operation of the cassette Figs. 8 and 9, held at the projected position against a loader as is well known to those skilled in the art, the pulling force exerted by the coil spring 10, with the arms 6c are caught by the respective sloped free 115 catch block 6b consequently lifted. This is because, ends of the fingers 7b, riding over the latter with the when the cassette holder 2 is in the cassette catch block 6b consequently disengaged from the receiving position, the base 7a of the finger detent recess 5 in the cassette 1. Shortly before or assembly 7 is held in abutment with a stopper 11 substantially simultaneously with the arrival of the formed integrally with the top panel 4c so as to cassette holder 2 at the cassette receiving position, 120 project downwardly into a space between the top the catch block 6b is completely disengaged from wall 2b of the cassette holder 2 and the top panel 4c.

the detent recess 5 as best shown in Fig. 4. The cassette holder structure according to the Subsequent pull of the cassette 1 in a direction second preferred embodiment of the present counter to the direction A of insertion of the cassette invention is so designed and so operable that, after 1 results in the removal of the cassette 1 from the 125 the cassette 1 has been inserted into the cassette cassette holder 2. holder 2 in the direction A as shown in Fig. 7, and Thus, it will be readily understood that the catch when the cassette holder 2 with the cassette 1 block 6b used in the foregoing embodiment is lifted received therein is subsequently moved a againstthe leaf spring 6a for disengagement from predetermined distance by the cassette loader from the detent recess 5 in the cassette 1 and lowered as 130 the cassette receiving position towards the loaded GB 2 187 879 A 5 position, the finger assembly 7 is moved from the embodiments thereof with reference to the projected position towards the retracted position as accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that pulled by the coil spring 10. This movement of the various changes and modifications can readily be finger assembly 7 by the action of the coil spring 10 conceived bythose skilled in the art. By way of takes place relative to the cassette holder 2 and 70 example, although the releaseable catch member 6 independently of the movement of the cassette has been described and shown as comprised of the holder 2 with the guide posts 9 moving within the leaf spring 6a having its free end rigidly mounted respective guide slots 8. The condition in which the with the catch block 6b, the leaf spring 6a and the cassette holder 2 has been moved the catch block 6b may be of one-piece construction and predetermined distance towards the loaded position 75 this can be accomplished by the use of plastics and the finger assembly 7 is relatively moved to the molding.

retracted position as pulled by the coil spring 10 is Moreover, in the last mentioned embodiment of best illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11. the present invention, the coil spring 10 may not be As can be understood from the comparison always limited to that shown and described, but between Fig. 9 and Fig. 11, as the finger assembly 7 80 may be in any form, for example, a tension spring or is moved from the projected position towards the a compression spring, and the position thereof may retracted position as pulled bythe coil spring 10 be selected in consideration of the type of a during the movement of the cassette holder 2 particular spring so far as the finger assembly 7 can towards the loaded position in a direction shown by be moved in the manner as hereinbefore described.

the arrow B in Fig. 9, the fingers 7c slide relative to 85 Furthermore, each of the guide slots 4a defined in the arms 6cthen resting thereon and finally allow the side panels 4b of the support structure 4 may not the arm 6c to disengage therefrom, with the be so shaped as shown, but may be straight consequence that the catch block 6b is lowered by depending on the type of the apparatus to which the the action of the leaf spring 6a for engagement into present invention is applied.

the detent recess 5 in the cassette 1, then retained 90 Accordingly, such changes and modifications are inside the cassette holder 2, substantially to be construed as included within the scope of the simultaneously with the arrival of the finger present invention.

assembly 7 at the retracted position as shown in

Claims

Figs. 10 and 11. CLAIMS

During the continued movement of the cassette 95 1. A cassette holder structure for an information holder 2 with the cassette 1 therein towards the recording andlor reproducing apparatus operable loaded position, the finger assembly 7 while held at with the use of a cassette containing an information the retracted position moves together with the carrier medium, which structure comprises:

cassette holder 2 as shown in Figs. 12 and 13. a support structure; Nevertheless, subsequent to the lowering of the 100 a cassette holder supported by the support catch block 6b and, hence, the engagement of the structure for movement between a first position, at catch block 6b into the detent recess 5 in the which the cassette holder is ready to receive the cassette 1, and until the cassette holder 2 being cassette, and a second position at which returned from the loaded position towards the information can be recorded on or reproduced from cassette receiving position in a direction shown by 105 the information carrier medium contained in the the arrow D in Fig. 13 approaches a position spaced cassette; the predetermined distance from the cassette a detent member defined in the cassette; receiving position, the cassette 1 is not only retained a generally elongated elastic releaseable catch in position by the retaining springs 3, but also member carried by the cassette holder and constrained in position inside the cassette holder 2 110 resiliently engageable with the detent member by the catch block 6b engaged in the detent recess 5. defined in the cassette; and When the cassette holder 2 being returned from means operable to disengage the releaseabie the loaded position approaches that position spaced catch member f rom the detent member in the the predetermined distance from the cassette cassette when and so long as the cassette holder is receiving position, the base 7a of the finger 115 in the cassette receiving position and also to cause assembly 7 is brought into contact with the stopper the releaseable catch member to be engaged with 11 in a manner substantially as shown in Figs. 8 and the detent member in the cassette when the cassette 9, and therefore, the continued movement of the holder with the cassette inserted thereinto is moved cassette holder 2 towards the cassette receiving from the cassette receiving position towards the position permits the finger assembly 7 to move 120 loaded position.

againstthe coil spring 10 relative to the cassette 2. The holder structure as claimed in Claim 1, holder 2 in a direction counterto the direction of wherein said releaseable catch member comprises a movement of the cassette holder 2 towards the generally elongated leaf spring member having one cassette receiving position. In this way, the finger end rigidly secured to the cassette holder, and a assembly 7 is moved from the retracted position 125 catch block rigidly mounted on the other end of said towards the projected position with the arms 6c leaf spring membner and engageable with the consequently lifted onto the fingers 7b to disengage detent member in the cassette.

the catch block 6b from the detent recess 5. 3. The holder structure as claimed in Claim 2, Although the present invention has fully been wherein said detent member is a detent recess described in connection with the preferred 130 defined in the cassette.

6 GB 2 187 879 A 6 4. The holder structure as claimed in Claim 1, magnetic tape, a magnetic disk and an optical disk.

wherein said means comprises a finger assembly 45 9. A cassette holder structure substantially as secured to the support structure. herein described with reference to and as illustrated 5. The holder structure as claimed in Claim 4, in Figs. 3 to 6, or Figs. 7 to 13 of the accompanying wherein said finger assembly is, when the cassette drawings.

holder is moved to the first position, engaged with the elastic releaseable catch member to disengage 50 Amendments to the claims have been filed, and the latter from the detent member against the have the following effect:

resiliency of the elastic releaseable catch member, (a) Claim 1 above have been deleted or textually but allows the elastic releaseable catch member to amended.

disengage therefrom thereby for engagement with (b) New or textually amended claims have been the detent member by the effect of its own resiliency 55 filed as follows:

as the cassette holder is moved a predetermined distance from the first position towards the second CLAIMS position. 1. A cassette holder structure for an information 6. The holder structure as claimed in Claim 1, recording andlor reproducing apparatus operable wherein said means comprises a finger assembly 60 with the use of a cassette containing an information mounted on the cassette holder for movement in a carrier medium, which structure comprises:

direction conforming to the direction of insertion of a support structure; the cassette into the cassette holder, a spring a cassette holder supported by the support member interposed between the finger assembly structure for movement between a first position, at and the cassette holder for urging the finger 65 which the cassette holder is ready to receive the assembly in a direction counter to the direction of cassette by insertion of the cassette into the holder insertion of the cassette into the cassette holder, in a predetermined direction, and a second position and a stopper member provided on the support at which information can be recorded on or structure for halting the finger assembly against the reproduced from the information carrier medium spring member when the cassette holder is in the 70 contained in the cassette; first position. a detent member defined in the cassette; 7. The holder structure as claimed in Claim 6, a generally elongated elastic releaseable catch wherein said finger assembly is, when the cassette member carried by the cassette holder and holder is moved to the first position, engaged with resiliently engageable with the detent member the elastic releaseable catch member to disengage 75 defined in the cassette; and the latterfrom the detent member against the means operable to disengage the releaseable resiliency of the elastic releaseable catch member, catch member from the detent member in the but allows the elastic releaseable catch member to cassette when and so long as the cassette holder is disengage therefrom thereby for engagement with in the cassette receiving position and also to cause the detent member by the effect of its own resiliency 80 the releaseable catch member to be engaged with as the cassette holder is moved a predetermined the detent member in the cassette when the cassette distance from the first position towards the second holder with the cassette inserted thereinto is moved position. in the predetermined direction from the cassette 8. The holder structure as claimed in Claim 1, receiving position towards the loaded position and wherein the information carrier medium is a 85 also when the cassette holder is in the loaded medium selected from the group consisting of a position.

Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by Courier Press, Leamington Spa, 911987. Demand No. 8991685. Published by the Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A 1 AY, from which copies may be obtained.